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Post subject: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:49 am
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It appears my brother decided he needed to add another spring to the tremolo on his Squire. While he was doing this, he left the arm threaded into the bridge. Well he wound up snapping the arm off, leaving the threaded portion of the arm stuck in the bridge. Before I start mangling things, does anyone have guidance on how to remove the piece of the arm left in the bridge?


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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:11 am
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You need a special tooling to do that as you need to drill a hole in the left part of the arm then reverse thread it so to extract it afterward.
Better leave that to a professional...
Might be cheaper to put a new bridge.

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:37 am
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I think the tool is called an Easy-Out or something like that. Most hardware stores or automotive supply will stock them.


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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:26 am
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Yes, easy out extractor, it doesnt always works though, although it's not a tight bolt it's a small space, not sure they make em that small.


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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:44 am
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can you see it well enough to drill a small hole about 1/4 inch deep in the center of it? if you can do that then you can epoxy a small allen wrench inside the hole and then back it out that way. just mix the epoxy with the allen wrench then poke it in the drilled hole and let it set up. blow the shavings out first though

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:09 am
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You can likely do it with a flat headed screwdriver and a hacksaw. Two things most people have, even if they think they dont.

What you need to do is saw into the bit of the arm left in the block. Saw in the center, across the arm so you make a slot for the screwdriver. Undo the broken portion of the arm with the screwdriver.

If the arm break is flush with the tremplate. Simply take the trem out of the guitar. Take the saddles off, unscrew the three screws that connect the plate to the block. You can safely saw across the cast block for a couple of mil' if the broken portion of the arm is flush with the trem block. It's unlikely that the arm broke more than 2-3mm down inside the block.

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:35 pm
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There is a tap drill bit you use. It basically puts a screw in the metal that's threading is opposite of how you'd screw in. That's about the only way to replace it short of replacing the tremolo block. Very common thing SRV used to do...

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:44 pm
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Or you can spend $30 on a replacement block from Guitar Fetish, they have steel and brass. If you want to go higher, Callaham or KCG. You dont need a whole tremolo replaced though.


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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:56 pm
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if you can't get it out, I have a few extra blocks in a drawer. you are welcome to have one if you can come up with 5 bucks for USPS flat rate shipping. just pm me an address and the string spacing you need.

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:51 pm
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nikininja wrote:
If the arm break is flush with the tremplate. Simply take the trem out of the guitar. Take the saddles off, unscrew the three screws that connect the plate to the block. You can safely saw across the cast block for a couple of mil' if the broken portion of the arm is flush with the trem block. It's unlikely that the arm broke more than 2-3mm down inside the block.


8) Now that is very ingenious! I'll remember that one.

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Post subject: Re: Removing Threaded Portion of a Broken Tremolo Arm
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 3:14 pm
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Thanks everyone for the tips, especially "somebizarredude" for your offer. Well went to my brother's house and as it turns out he got the threaded portion out using a drafting compass. It must not have been too tight and the threads did not get damaged. Now he needs to find a new Squire arm.
Lurking around on this forum for a while now, I have learned all arms are not the same. Told him to take the threaded part to a hardware store to fit nuts on it to figure out if it is metric or standard and thread pitch before just buying a new arm. Looks like I will be doing my first setup on his guitar. It needs it. I previously paid to have mine done. Will be using Earlewine's manual. Wish me luck.


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